PUBLIC NOTIC - Notice of Intention to Designate - 197 West River Road

In the matter of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, Chapter O.18 and in the matter of the property located at 197 West River Road, City of Cambridge, in the Province of Ontario.

TAKE NOTICE THAT the Council of the Corporation of the City of Cambridge intends to designate the property municipally known as 197 West River Road under Section 29, Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, Chapter O.18, as a property of cultural heritage value or interest.

Legal Description

LT 11 PL 1201 CAMBRIDGE EXCEPT PT 1 58R8368; CAMBRIDGE

Description of Property

The property at 197 West River Road is located on the east side of West River Road, south of Culham Drive, north of Grand Ridge Driver, and west of the Grand River. The property is a long rectangular lot, approximately 1.69 acres in size, that extends from West River Road to the Grand River, approximately 250min depth. It includes a single-detached dwelling built between 1938 and 1956 as well as two small sheds. The majority of the property is heavily treed, natural land.

Summary of Cultural Heritage Value

The property at 197 West River Road exhibits physical/design value and contextual value.

The property contains physical/design value as a representative example of the Craftsman Bungalow architectural style. It includes several characteristic aspects of the style including a low-pitched roof, a large covered porch, deep overhangs, and unique rustic cladding materials. The modest, one-and-a-half storey dwelling also includes a prominent gabled dormer, a stone chimney, and riverstone cladding that was sourced from the local area. Similar to other early-to-mid 20th century Craftsman Bungalows, it was designed to be functional, simple, and affordable for average Canadian families.

The property also contains physical/design value through its application of riverstone or cobblestone cladding, displaying craftsmanship and artistic merit. The use of this natural material creates a rugged patina and creates a natural transition between the landscape and the building. The dwellings style and materials connect it to the property’s naturalized setting, a recognized design element of the style.

The property displays contextual value by maintaining and supporting the character of West River Road, a mature residential area defined by mature trees, generous setbacks, and several other early 20th century homes along the road. East of the road, the property is connected to the Grand River as one of several long, rectangular, well-treed lots.

The property also displays contextual value in its historical linkages to its surroundings on West River Road, a historic road which links Galt to Glen Morris and communities further south. West River Road was present in its current configuration as early as 1861 and is visible on several historic maps of the area. Located on the rural-urban fringe, the property is also historically connected to other nearby 20th century properties developed at a similar time. 

Description of Heritage Attributes

The identified attributes of the property that contribute to the physical/design value of the property as a representative example of Craftsman Bungalow architecture with a high degree of craftsmanship or artistic merit include:

• The one-and-a-half storey Craftsman Bungalow house with square layout;
• The exterior riverstone cladding material;
• The large front porch with stone-clad supporting columns;
• The grouped three-over-one windows with stone sills and headers;
• The large gabled dormer located in the centre of the roof;
• The extended low-pitched roof with returned eaves and a stone chimney; and,
• The interior riverstone fireplace.

The identified attributes of the property that contribute to the contextual value of the property; important in maintaining and supporting the character of the area and historically linked to its surroundings include:

• The overall massing, setback, and location of the house facing West River Road; and,
• The property’s natural setting, connecting the house and the landscape, and displaying a recognized design philosophy of Craftsman Bungalow architecture.

Further information regarding the proposed designation may be obtained from the Policy Planning Division (Heritage Planning) at heritageinfo@cambridge.ca.

Objection

Any person may, within 30 days after the date of publication of this notice, serve on the City Clerk of the City of Cambridge a Notice of Objection to the proposed designation. The notice must set out the reason(s) for the objection and all relevant facts.

Notice of Objection should be addressed to:

City Clerk, The Corporation of the City of Cambridge
50 Dickson Street
P.O. Box 669, Cambridge, Ontario N1R 5W8
Email: clerks@cambridge.ca